Are you seeking God for breakthrough or have big decisions to make? Maybe you’ve done a 24-hour water fast and realize you can’t keep that up long term. Consider a Daniel fast.

What is a Daniel Fast? Daniel 10:2-3 says, “In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled” (NKJV).  He sought the Lord for wisdom about when the captivity of the Israelites would end. For something so momentous, he remained in a state of prayer.

Typically, a Daniel fast lasts 21 days where the person eats a restrictive vegan diet with no added sugars or preservatives and only whole grains. No fried food, just baked.

My youngest sister introduced me to the Daniel fast when we lived together. I had conducted short-term water-only fasts for big decisions, but hadn’t embarked on any long-term fasts.

My first Daniel fast was seven days. I had no idea what I was doing. I ate oatmeal with peanut butter every day and quickly lost energy. Microwave meals (my previous standard diet) were not permitted. Fortunately, my sister made several dishes like sweet potato curry so I didn’t run out of nutrients.

After several shorter Daniel fasts with my sister supplementing my oatmeal, I moved. In my new town, a friend encouraged me that if I wanted breakthrough in a certain area, I should do a long fast. I wanted answers, so I decided to try.

I went all in with a 45-day fast, including a day off for Thanksgiving with my family. After weeks of no sugar, dairy, or meat, my stomach ached from the feast. When coming off the fast, reintroduce foods gradually. I started the fast mainly eating oatmeal, but by the end I found Daniel-friendly recipes that I still enjoy. While I didn’t receive immediate answers, I learned to cook vegan. Sometimes, God answers what we need and not what we want.

Here are non-exhaustive lists of what to eat or not:

Examples of Allowable Foods

Grains – Whole grain wheat, steel cut or whole oats, whole grain brown rice, whole wheat pasta, quinoa, whole wheat couscous, corn, baked corn chips without preservatives,
Beans – Black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, black eyed peas, great northern beans, legumes, lentils
Nuts - cashews, peanuts, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, macadamia nuts, seeds
Fruits – pears, apples, oranges, peaches, berries, bananas, avocado
Vegetables – spinach, lettuce, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, corn, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans

Some people debate if coffee is permissible because it could be considered a luxury. For me to honor God, I need coffee. I believe as a bean from the ground, it counts as a natural food. However, I have only one black cup with no sugar or cream, a sacrifice for me. Still, if coffee violates your conscience, don’t drink it. If you regularly consume caffeine, I recommend weaning off it before the fast so you don’t get withdrawal headaches.

Examples of Foods Not Allowed

Meat – beef, chicken, pork, turkey, venison, fish
Dairy – milk, cheese, eggs, sour cream, coffee creamer
Grains – Anything made of enriched white flour like pasta or bread, Israeli couscous, orzo
Sweets – Candy, high-fructose corn syrup, sugar, honey, agave, aspartame, or stevia. No added sugars, only natural sugars like those already found in berries or fruit
Alcohol
Preservatives

Did you know that sugar and preservatives are in almost every food? I never study the ingredients of food as much as I do during a Daniel fast. I buy chickpeas from Target and black beans from Aldi because black beans at Target have preservatives. Vegetable broth is my secret ingredient for brown rice, quinoa, and couscous to enhance the taste. Many broths include sugar or preservatives, but Progressive and Trader Joe’s vegetable broths are Daniel friendly.

Here are links to some of my favorite recipes:

Sweet Potato and Chickpea Stew
https://www.healthy-liv.com/sweet-potato-and-chickpea-stew/
One Pan Mexican Quinoa
https://damndelicious.net/2014/04/09/one-pan-mexican-quinoa/
Chickpea Tortilla Soup
https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/chickpea-tortilla-soup/
Vegan Three-Bean Chili
https://www.hauteandhealthyliving.com/vegan-3-bean-chili/

Three Cautions with Fasting

First, I want to caution again fasting too much. If your body needs certain nutrients to be healthy, please get supplements. The fast should not ruin your health, but grow you closer to God.  

Another caution: fasting is not intended as a means to manipulate God. We don’t fast to impress God so He bends to our wills. Instead, we align to His holiness. Somehow the sacrifice of food opens spiritual windows to hear God in ways impossible when we are satisfied with the world.

My third cautionary tale may sound odd, but I can find myself fasting without the right mindset. Zechariah 7:4-7 says, “Then the word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying, “Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me—for Me? When you eat and when you drink, do you not eat and drink for yourselves? Should you not have obeyed the words which the Lord proclaimed through the former prophets when Jerusalem and the cities around it were inhabited and prosperous, and the South and the Lowland were inhabited?’ (NKJV)”

Zechariah warned the Israelites that they fasted because for themselves and not God. They defied God’s commands and expected God to answer because they fasted. While I don’t disobey God’s directives while fasting, I don’t want to become complacent instead of maintaining a heart posture of prayer.

Sometimes in a long fast, I get into routine and can skip the deeper moments of communion with the Lord. It’s hard to focus in a 30-day fast unless you are in a dire crisis. I’m currently in a Daniel fast during Ramadan to pray for Muslims to know Jesus. I have an amazing prayer guide to help me intercede for their salvation. Yet, I don’t want to just go through the motions.

Another good opportunity for a Daniel fast is Lent. Because I’m fasting food for Ramadan, which overlaps with Lent, I gave up fiction for Lent this year. Whenever you need to seek the Lord for wisdom and direction, consider a Daniel fast. May the Lord bless you as you embark on your Daniel fast so you know Him deeper in the process.

• Have you ever tried a Daniel fast? How did it go?
• What questions to you have about a Daniel fast? I’m happy to help with the nuances

Recently, I received bad news and struggled to process its implications. My mind started to swirl into ugly places. A friend asked me to go to the gym. I agreed, thinking it would relieve stress.
As I walked towards the elliptical, she recognized something was wrong. I couldn’t form words, so she asked if I wanted her to start praising God. I nodded.

“We praise God for His faithfulness. He is Jehovah-Jireh, Our Provider. He is Jehovah-Nissi, Our Banner who fights for us. God has always made a way, and will continue to do so. We trust God because of Who He is and all He has done….”

While she praised, the atmosphere shifted. The fog that stifled my head and sucked out my hope lifted. Instead, I remembered the character of God and His proven track record. While the things I heard were mind-boggling, God was still greater.

The longer we praised together, the deeper we entered His presence. Psalm 100:4 says, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name” (KJV). God inhabits the praise of His people. We brought the glory of the Lord into the gym as we thanked God for what He had done and blessed His holy name.

Because God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23), each day we have another opportunity to announce the goodness of God. We aren’t to keep these testimonies to ourselves. Psalm 149:1 says, “Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, And His praise in the assembly of saints” (NKJV). We should sing aloud of His greatness with other faithful believers. Sharing our testimonies helps build the faith of those around us. If God helped us, He will help others as well.

Another reason the praise was so powerful was because we rejoiced together. Recent neuroscience tells us that joy is built in the context of community. Because of mirror neurons, we can’t learn new things from watching ourselves. Instead, as we look to others, we see what they do and copy it. When those around us worship through their storms, our lips pour out praise too.

When something good happens, our natural tendency is to want to tell others. Psalm 66:16 says, “Come and hear, all you who fear God, And I will declare what He has done for my soul” (NKJV). As we declare the deeds of the Lord to our friends, the praise multiplies. I enjoy sharing the good things that happened to me, you enjoyed hearing them, and God rejoiced at the recognition He rightfully deserves. Its win, win, win!

Though I entered the gym with a heavy heart, my spirit lifted after a round of praise. While I didn’t know what the future held, I knew who held my future. I would choose to offer a sacrifice of praise instead of wallowing in doubt. Psalm 107:2 says, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy” (NKJV).

I will worship through the storm, knowing the Lord had already redeemed me from the enemy. May we focus on the Lord and trust in His goodness (Isaiah 26:3) no matter what threatens us. Then we receive His peace that passes understanding that guards our hearts (Philippians 4:7).

• What good things has the Lord done for you? Please share them below so we may rejoice with you and worship the Lord together.

Recently, I watched a potter take a large lump of clay and hand build it into four unique items. As he worked his wheel, each time he began a new project, he wet the clay. Then he pulled the clay up and pressed it down several times before he formed the pieces.

My friend explained that when the clay sits for a while, the molecules align in a way that makes the vessel weak if thrown immediately. Instead, the potter has to push and pull the clay to mix the molecules so they strengthen. Without the tension, the vessels could easily crack in the kiln.
Likewise, God knows we need some stress to build resilience. He doesn’t allow hardship to beat us down. Instead, He realigns our priorities so they don’t break under fire. James 1:2-4 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (NKJV).

The trials of our lives allow us to exercise our faith. When we don’t exercise our muscles, they atrophy. The same truth holds with our faith; we have to use it or it fades. God wants us trust Him completely as vessel ready for His service.

I also enjoyed watching the potter make four distinct things from the same lump of clay. First, he formed a little vase with frills around the edges. Next, he formed a candle stick, also ruffled. The third item was a plate. The last item was hard to identify initially. Only a small amount of clay remained, and he formed a small jug with a slot at the top. Apparently, street vendors used these banks to collect change.

I wonder what the potter thought as each item formed. He knew exactly what each item would be as he worked. The same way, our Heavenly Father forms us as clay in His hands. Isaiah 64:8 says, “But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand” (NKJV). The Lord who made us in His hands, knows the best way to shape our lives.

Sometimes, I argue with my Maker. I’ve complained to God when things haven’t happened in the timing or way that I wanted. Romans 9:20-21 says, “But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?” (NKJV)

God has different purposes for different people. The small vase wouldn’t be useful as a candlestick. Each item has its own purpose. God designs some to hold flowers and others to hold candles. Both bring joy to others, but in unique ways. The Lord’s design for our lives is best because He knows how to use us best. May the lean into the good works He designed us to do so our lives honor Him daily.

• Have you ever compared yourself to someone else? How does remembering that God fashioned us by hand for His purposes help you enjoy your present circumstances?
  

I’ve recently become fascinated by a lone tree in a Middle Eastern desert called the “Tree of Life.” While not the original from the Garden of Eden, this Prosopis cineraria has lived over four hundred years with almost no rain in Bahrain. This enormous mesquite keeps expanding, stretching its branches to snuff out the sand. We learn several lessons about subsistence, resilience, and connecting with God from this tree:

1. We Need Deep Wells of Water

“Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.” -- Psalm 1:1-3, NKJV

David described a similar tree in Psalm 1. The man who delights in the Lord will be a tree that grows fruit in its season and won’t wither. God’s Word nourishes our minds with truth the way water feeds trees. People speculate that the Tree of Life’s 160-feet deep roots may stretch far enough reach the buried water table. When we deal with hardship, we have to dig deep to find our source of strength. Often in trials the Holy Spirit has recalled verses I memorized as a child to comfort my soul. These reservoirs of truth still feed my heart today. Every time I meditate on God’s Word, it creates sustenance for me to consume in drought. When we seek Him, God provides the hope we need.

2. Resistance Builds Resilience

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” – James 1:2-4, NASB 1995

James highlights that going through trials results in endurance. While the tree in Bahrain in doesn’t have much water, it has wind. Scientists once tried to grow trees in a closed environment without wind. They discovered that while these trees grew quickly, they didn’t form deep root systems. As their heights outpaced their depths, they toppled over and died. The trees needed resistance to strengthen their bark and roots. Likewise, we need a little rustling to remind us to depend on God’s strength. He allows our faith to be tested so that we can build endurance to withstand hardships. Our faith atrophies if we don’t exercise it. We keep growing spiritual muscles by persevering well. Also, God doesn’t want us to pride ourselves on our own abilities, but rely on Him alone to stand tall.

3. A Twig Bears No Leaves Apart from the Trunk

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. ‘I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.’” -- John 15:4-5, NKJV

John reminds us to abide in Christ because apart from Him we can do nothing. When we remain in right relationship with God, we draw strength from hidden reserves of power to flourish in dry places. Tapping into the joy of the Lord as the source of our strength (Nehemiah 8:10) fuels our lives in the desert places. When twigs break off branches, they quit growing leaves. We can’t grow spiritual fruit if we separate ourselves from the branch of Christ. Disciplining ourselves to stay in the Word yields an abundant harvest of spiritual fruit.

God nourishes the Tree of Life with water and uses wind to build endurance so it can stand long and strong. May we also remain attached to the trunk of Christ and receive His food for our souls, so we may honor Him.

• What actions will you take this week to water your soul?
• How has God used trials in your life to build endurance?
• Are there any things that divide your attention from connecting to the Lord? If so, what can you do to put your focus back on Christ?

I hung up the phone. More bad news. George had to go back to the hospital. Again.

My grip tightened on the steering wheel. My mind raced after all the potential outcomes.
“Why God? Why does he have to suffer so much?”

As I drove, I asked God to play the song “Evidence” by Josh Baldwin on the radio. I needed the reminder that despite these evil tidings, the Lord answers prayer. I turned the dial, expecting the melody to pour out from the speakers.

Instead, I heard “Way Maker.”

Even better.

One of my best memories is my mom and I belting “Way Maker” down the highway, claiming healing. God was always working, even when my feelings go haywire and it doesn’t appear He is doing anything.

My neck and shoulders relaxed as peace flooded my soul. We’d heard bad news before. God always made a way. He wouldn’t stop now.

Have you ever heard a song at church or on the radio that was exactly what you needed in the moment? Music strengthens our hearts when we need hope. When Saul was distressed, David played on his harp, and the troubling spirit fled. David wrote many of the Psalms because he couldn’t contain His joy at God’s deliverance.

Psalm 32:7 says, “You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah” (NKJV).

Worship music holds power in the spiritual realm. It exalts the God of the universe who crushes the enemy under His feet. It’s as if the words we sing form an invisible bubble of protection around us that hold in the peace of God and block out the evil one. The Lord preserves us from trouble when we hide inside the goodness of His character. The song “Way Maker” reminds me of the faithfulness of God that fills my soul with hope and pushes out the fear.

Today at church our worship minister said, “What is learned in song, stays for long.” God has given me songs of deliverance as spiritual markers. Each time I face hardship, the Lord has provided me a new song to strengthen my heart in that season. By now, my list could form an album. A tune can transport us back to deep memories. When I hear those songs, my faith increases because I remember God’s goodness.

Another song of deliverance on my list, Francesca Battistelli’s “Defender,” mirrors the story of how King Jehoshaphat experienced the power of praise in battle. When the Moabites and Ammonites came against Jerusalem, Jehoshaphat called a nationwide fast. In response to their prayer, God told them not to be afraid because the battle was the Lord’s. The people worshiped and obeyed.

The next morning, 2 Chronicles 20:21-22 NKJV tells us, “And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: ‘Praise the Lord, For His mercy endures forever.’ Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.”

The children of Israel did not shoot one arrow or slash one sword of their own. Because God inhabits the praises of His people, He drew strength from their songs and used it to demolish their enemies. What a mighty example of songs of deliverance that reminded me God could defeat all illnesses in my family.

Have you ever had an earworm? A song stuck in your head that you couldn’t get out? Our brains search for material to fill our minds when we operate in default mode. What type of songs are you pouring into your soul? Check your playlist or radio dial. Are you hearing the words of society or the kingdom of heaven?

When we sing worship songs on Sundays and praise music throughout the week, they plant seeds of peace. We feed our minds on truth so the Holy Spirit can retrieve it easily. If we consume worthless junk, anxious thoughts can arise. When we feast on worship, the presence of God delivers us from crippling fears.

The day when George returned to the hospital I’d asked God for a song of His faithfulness. He exceeded my expectations. The Lord knew I needed “Way Maker,” and later, I heard “Evidence” when I returned to my car after a stop.

What a marvelous God!

Which songs of deliverance fill your playlist? If you don’t have any yet, ask the Lord to point out the truths you need to hear. Sing along out loud and watch the darkness dispel.

• Which songs have encouraged you in hard times? Share them below so we can add to our repertoire of songs of deliverance.
  

My parents and I recently did a puzzle together. I’d evacuated from the incoming hurricane, filling my car with dirty laundry and important papers in the middle of the night to leave fast. As we unloaded the car, my mom asked when we’d do the puzzle.
 
Exhausted from the journey, I didn’t understand. What puzzle? Then I realized she’d found the Christmas gift she’d given me the year before. I’d left it in my car, never managing to take it inside. The picture on the front boasted bright skeins of yarn.
 
We don’t always grasp God’s timing or His ways, but the Lord knows what He is doing. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (NKJV). God provided a distraction from the storm that raged outside.
 
As we scattered the pieces across the table, we sorted by color. Piles of blue, turquoise, and pink appeared. Some sections were easier to put together than others. I typically look at the picture on the box to assemble the parts, but for this one I looked at how the shapes formed together. Many pieces looked slightly misshapen, making them harder to join.
 
The basket of yarn took shape over several days of focused work. Here are three lessons I learned from this puzzle.
 
1. Contrast Matters
Despite the bright colors, black and gray pieces formed the shadows. We can have dark spots in our lives, but God holds a purpose for them as well. We grow closest to God when we are hurting because we can’t fix it ourselves. We need His intervention to overcome. If we seek the light of the Lord, He doesn’t leave us in darkness.
 
Psalm 18:28 says, “For You will light my lamp; The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness” (NKJV). God leads us back into the light. When the bright times come again, we can experience greater joy because of all we’ve gone through.
 
2. Look for Missing Pieces
When we think a piece is lost, we may need to see if it dropped on the floor. Sometimes we misplace the priority of time. Life piles up long lists of requirements as society honors the “busy” as important. We should examine how we spend our time. Do we really need to do something every weeknight? Our bodies are finite. God designed us to rest.
 
We can also misplace our financial priorities. Also, do we need another three-wick candle when we already own 30? Who cares if we have a coupon? That money can be better spent on the church than stockpiling scented candles. God gave us all the pieces we need to live a godly life. 2 Peter 1:3 says, “as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (NKJV). When we use the time, money, and talents He’s given us for His glory, we don’t burn out, but live lives complete in Christ.
 
3. Not All Pieces Go Where We Think
Some pieces appeared like they went one place, but actually belonged to a separate section of the puzzle. Things may happen in our lives that don’t make sense at the time. Perhaps God is pre-positioning that puzzle piece in our lives. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time” (NKJV). Maybe we will need that friend or knowledge elsewhere down the road. They don’t fill the current holes we feel in life, but we will need them in the future. His timing is perfect, and He equips us for His purposes.
 
If your life feels like a pile of puzzling pieces, know that God is working them together to create a beautiful masterpiece for His delight.
 

• Does anything puzzle you right now? Talk to God about what He is doing. He will help you figure out where those pieces belong.
  
• Have you ever misplaced any of your priorities? If so, ask the Lord to help you get realigned to His purposes.

While home for Thanksgiving a few years ago, I took my family’s miniature Schnauzer, Scout, for a walk.

During the route, I spied the neighbors’ tiny foreign exchange student walking a huge German Shepherd. I heard him barking from down the block as he pulled away from her grip.

My heart raced as they approached. I couldn’t dodge into oncoming traffic.

There was no way to escape.

The German Shepherd snarled and lunged toward us.

I pivoted to protect Scout, and the big dog bit me through my shoe.

Five stitches and two months of wearing a boot later, I healed physically.

The journey to mental healing is taking much longer.

I thought time would erase my fear of being attacked by dogs, but instead it grew.

Kindhearted people told me not to feed my fear, and it would go away.

It didn’t.

I’ve sought therapy to heal from my fear of big dogs. My counselor helped me understand that the attack not only damaged my foot, but ruined my sense of safety.

No wonder I’m terrified of large dogs!

In addition to the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) trauma therapy, I’m ordering my thoughts to align to truth.

I remind myself that God is the ultimate healer of my hurt, not my counselor.

The Holy Spirit led me to Psalm 18 where David said a prayer for protection. God revealed key insights to show how He defends me.

Remember Who God Is

“’I love You, O Lord, my strength.’ The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”   - Psalm 18:1-2 (NASB1995)

Part of rewiring my brain involves feeding my mind on the truth that God is my Protector. I don’t need to seek trouble, but when I follow the Lord, He defends me.
 
David opened his prayer for protection in Psalm 18 packed with truths about God’s character:

• God is my strength: God is mighty to beat down my enemies.
• The Lord is my rock: God is my firm foundation so I don’t slip and fall.
• The Lord is my fortress: God will defend me when I abide in His house.
• The Lord is my deliverer: God gets me out of difficult situations. It’s His specialty.
• My rock in whom I take refuge: God lets me hide in His safety.
• My shield: God stands in front and takes the brunt of the blows that life deals us.
• The horn of my salvation: God will raise the battle cry when I call out to Him.
• My stronghold: God will secure my life from outside evils.

David’s prayer for protection resonates with me as I shift my focus to what God can do instead of my own inadequacies.

Call Upon God with Confidence

“I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies…. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.” - Psalm 18:3, 6 KJV

When David offered his prayer for protection, he trusted God to save him. David didn’t wonder if God would listen, but knew the Lord hears His children.

We can pray for protection with the same confidence knowing that God will hear us and save us from our enemies.

When we feel surrounded on all sides, the Lord is greater than all we can see.

God Delivers His Children

“He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, And from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, But the Lord was my stay. He brought me forth also into a broad place; He rescued me, because He delighted in me.” - Psalm 18:16-19 NASB1995

God did not leave David drowning in deep waters that threatened to sink his soul.

The Lord knows we cannot overcome those who hate us on our own. When we humbly call on Him for help, He honors our cries.

Even when our enemies are mightier than we are, they are not stronger than our God. He can overcome every obstacle we face and make a way through the distress.

God leads us into broad places where we don’t feel like we’re about to fall off a ledge, but can breathe in the peace of the Lord.

The Lord rescues us because He delights in us when we give our times of trials to Him. He transforms our tests into testimonies that glorify His Holy Name.
Praise God for His Protection

“The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.” - Psalm 18:46, 48-49 KJV

When the Lord delivers us from evil, we praise God for how He shielded us. We don’t try to be glory hogs and pretend like we’ve kept ourselves safe.

We recognize God as the true hero Who delivers us from our enemies.

Therefore, we spread His praises far and wide to let others know the greatness of our God.

I’ve memorized verses from Psalm 18 to ingrain the assurance of God’s defense into my mind and heart. These truths are sinking into my soul so that I fear God and not man (or big dogs).

Praying through Psalm 18

Do you desire God’s protection from anything? Maybe you need help at work, in a relationship, or during your daily commute.

If so, say this prayer of protection with me that I’ve woven from the verses in Psalm 18.

“Dear God, I love You. I trust You.
You are my strength to endure, my refuge in Whom I can hide, and my shield to protect me from violent people who seek to destroy me.
My heart and mind are full of fear.
I lift a prayer for protection to Your throne. You will always hear my cries.
Stand between anyone or anything that tries to threaten Your child.
Fix my mind on You and let me hope in Your defense.
Give me space to feel peace, even in the presence of my enemies.
I praise You for rescuing me time and time again.
You hasten to usher me into a safe place of health and wholeness.
Thank You for Your mighty arm that crushes my foes.
May all the earth praise You for Your deliverance. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

• Have you ever needed protection?
• How has God protected you in the past? Share your story below so we can rejoice with you.
  

I met a man fishing with his daughter at the park. This beautiful three-year-old with a mop of blond curls illustrated the joy of asking her father for bread. While he fished, she lured two mallard ducks to her corner of the pier by throwing small chunks of bread. One bird shook his tail feathers in excitement and honked for his lunch.

The dad only gave his little girl a few bread fragments at a time. Again and again, she turned back to her father and asked for more. Every time he gave her some crumbs to distribute.

Matthew 7:7-11 says, ““Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him” (NKJV).

Never once did the father tell his daughter she’d asked for bread too many times. He always supplied her needs.

However, the father also didn’t give his daughter the whole loaf at once. He knew at age three, she wasn’t responsible enough to use it properly. She probably would have thrown the whole loaf at the ducks instead of small pieces they could digest.

The same way, our heavenly Father only gives us what we need in the moment. We grow dependent on the Lord when we ask for His strength every day. Our faith increases while God continually provides for us.

This child didn’t hoard what she received but passed it along to the ducks. When the Father gives us good things, often we should share that wisdom to others. We aren’t to hide truth, but shout it on the roof tops. We serve a generous and caring God. He won’t give us a stone if we ask for bread. He knows our needs and responds to our requests.

Sometimes, we have nothing to give because we are trying to provide it from our own supply and abilities. However, apart from Christ we can do nothing (John 15:5). We have to go to Him daily to fulfill our needs. Then we have wholesome words to feed hungry hearts.

Have you ever tried to do something in your own strength? I have. Today, I chose to ask my Father for every need, knowing His face lights with joy to give to His child. May we enjoy the good things that come from above and share them with the world around us.

• Do you ask the Father to fill your daily needs?
• Are there any things you've tried to provide for yourself? Consider asking the Lord. He loves to show off to His children.

Growing up Protestant, my family didn’t practice Lent. As an adult, I’ve been drawn to learning about Lent and its purpose in Christian life. After researching I found three common themes: prayer, fasting, and giving. Each part of the equation equips the believer to draw closer to Christ and focus on His sacrifice for us in this season.

While there are many types of prayers, the prayer of confession resonated most with me for Lent. If humans had never sinned and separated mankind from a right relationship with the Father, Jesus never would have had to die in our place. As I acknowledge my own sins that Jesus gave His life for, my heart is humbled.

After we confess our sins, our prayers grow more powerful because the guilt and shame that blocked our access to God disappear. James 5:16-18 says, “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit” (NKJV).

James reminds us that Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, not a super human. I’ve never prayed for drought for three and a half years, but I want to pray big. If Elijah was a normal guy, then with a pure heart, my prayers can move mountains. During Lent, I’m asking God to search my heart to show me any wicked ways and lead me in the paths of righteousness (Psalm 139:23). Then, my prayers will be powerful and effective for God’s purposes.

I’ve heard fasting defined as giving up physical food to gain spiritual nourishment. The Bible gives several reasons for fasting including mourning, praying for protection, asking for wisdom, praying for power, and entreating God for mercy. A good reason to fast during Lent is for repentance. That aligns with God revealing the confession of sin through prayer. 

Nehemiah 9:1-2 says, “Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, in sackcloth, and with dust on their heads. Then those of Israelite lineage separated themselves from all foreigners; and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers” (NKJV).

The children of Israel intermarried with foreign women while in exile, despite the Lord’s admonition that these wives would pull their hearts away from God. When they returned to Jerusalem, Nehemiah confronted them and the people assembled to separate themselves from all outsiders.

Today, I see this as a charge to not date or marry those who are nonbelievers. Yet, the lesson extends beyond just relationships. Besides marriage, we can often unite our hearts to things that separate us from a deeper relationship with God. Even good things can divide us from God when we make them into idols. Food, social media, jobs, power, cars, the list goes on and on. Fasting gives God space to convict us of any competing interests and draw us closer to Himself.

The last theme for Lent is giving, which aligns well with the example of God’s gift to us at Easter. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16 NKJV, emphasis mine). God freely gave His Son Jesus to restore His relationship with mankind. Christ, out of obedience to His Father, gave His life as a sacrifice for our sins. Jesus also gave those who believe in Him the Holy Spirit to guide their lives on earth.
 
Deuteronomy 15:7-8 says, “If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs” (NKJV).
 
Notice the Lord gave Hebrews the land from which they were to provide food for the poor. The people didn’t own this land, so none of the produce from it was their own. The people needed to be good stewards of God’s provision.
 
Not only are we to give of our money, but also our time, energy, and talents. Everything we have is from God. Everything. Therefore, we can’t hoard what we have for our own glory, but find ways to work for God’s glory.
 
I heard a story in 2020 about an elderly gentleman in Italy who got COVID and was on a respirator. He survived, but was handed a bill at the end. When he saw the amount, he wept. The nurses assured him they would find a way to pay his bill. He responded that he’d been breathing God’s oxygen for free for over 90 years and never thanked Him for it. He’d never realized how much he owed God for the air in His lungs. 

May we view every breath as a gift from God and use every resource He has given us for His Name’s sake.
 
This Lent, may we focus on these three themes: prayer, fasting, and giving as a means to prepare for the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. May we orient our lives to repentance and then posture our resources in a way that put God’s kingdom first. I pray we all enjoy Lent and deepen our relationship with our Lord Jesus.

• What time in your day works well for you to pray? If you don’t already have a rhythm of prayer in your routine, Lent is a great time to start.
• What do you plan to fast from for Lent? Spent time in repentance of sin and let in God’s power.
• Which resources is God calling you to use specifically for His purposes this Lent?

I scoured my kitchen cabinet for my chili powder. I’d started the meal on the stove, but couldn’t find the last spice. If I wanted the dish to taste good, I had to follow the recipe exactly.

After moving everything on the first two shelves that I could reach, I stood on tip toe to look at the third shelf. Still, I couldn’t find my elusive chili powder. I drug over a chair from the table and stood on it. This put me eye level with the third shelf. The chili powder appeared in the back corner, out of sight and reach from my position on the floor.

Some things I seek seem hard to find. I know they it exists, but where did my joy go? Where are the things that spice up my life and keep it interesting? When I focus on the things in front of me, I can miss what I need. Instead, I have to look up.

Psalm 121:1-2 says, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth" (NKJV). When we look to God to provide our needs, He helps us find what we are searching for. He knows exactly where we left our joy and how to retrieve it. We find our needs, hopes, and desires met when we go to the Lord. He is our Helper and Provider.

Sometimes, we cannot see high enough on our own. That is when we need to enlist the prayers of others to petition God on our behalf. It’s like dragging the chair over to raise me to a higher plane. The prayers of the saints are powerful to reveal what God is doing in and through our lives. They give the perspective we need to see God at work, even when we’ve exhausted all our resources.

The next time you misplace your chili powder (or whatever your needs is) look up. The Lord will show you what you need when you lift your eyes to seek His face. He will provide your every need and heal your every hurt when you will look up to Him.

• What have you been looking for lately? Where have you been searching? How can you look to Jesus this week to fill your needs?